The Offline Address Book (OAB) is a crucial element of Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft 365 Messaging, that functions as a downloaded copy of an address list collection. It provides convenience and accessibility, allowing users to utilize a copy of the Global Address List (GAL) offline. This becomes important in situations where the server is inaccessible, ensuring smooth functionality in such cases.
Adding an Offline Address Book (OAB)
Let’s look into how we can add an OAB in Exchange Server and Microsoft 365. You can either use the Exchange admin center (EAC) or the Exchange Management Shell.
Steps for adding an OAB using the EAC:
- Navigate to: Servers > Databases.
- Select your desired mailbox database.
- In the Mailbox database details pane, click Edit.
- In the Offline address book section, click Browse, and then select the name of the desired OAB.
To add an OAB using the Exchange Management Shell:
You can utilize the following syntax to set up the OAB on a mailbox database:
Set-MailboxDatabase -Identity “Mailbox Database Name” -OfflineAddressBook “OAB Name”
In this example, we are setting the OAB “Default Offline Address Book” on the mailbox database “Mailbox Database 123456789”
Set-MailboxDatabase -Identity “Mailbox Database 123456789” -OfflineAddressBook “Default Offline Address Book”
Removing an Offline Address Book
The removal of an OAB can be achieved using both the Exchange admin center (EAC) or the Exchange Management Shell.
To remove an OAB using the EAC:
- Navigate to: Organization > Address books.
- In the list of address books, select the OAB that you want to remove, and then click Delete.
To remove an OAB using the Exchange Management Shell:
You can use the following syntax to remove an OAB:
Remove-OfflineAddressBook -Identity “OAB Name”
In this example, we are removing the OAB “Default Offline Address Book”:
Remove-OfflineAddressBook -Identity “Default Offline Address Book”
As you take the MS-203 Microsoft 365 Messaging exam, it’s essential to fully understand the functionality, addition, and removal processes of the OAB. It plays a significant role in addressing management, making it an integral part of the exam. Your competence in handling the OAB will enhance your efficiency in managing Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft 365 Messaging.
Make sure to refer to the Microsoft documentation for any updates or changes in the syntax for managing the Offline Address Book. Following the proper protocols will ensure smooth operations and avoid any adverse effects on user accessibility and experience.
Practice Test
True or False: The offline address book (OAB) is a downloaded copy of a user address book in Microsoft Exchange.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: An offline address book (OAB) is a copy of a collection of address lists that are downloaded and used by Microsoft Outlook Clients.
True or False: In Microsoft Exchange, you cannot modify the OAB after it has been created.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Exchange allows you to modify, add, or remove an Offline Address Book (OAB) after it’s been created according to the needs of the organization or individual users.
In Microsoft Exchange, which of the following would you use to modify the properties of an Offline Address Book (OAB)?
- A. Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager
- B. Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
- C. Active Directory Users and Computers
Answer: B. Exchange Admin Center (EAC)
Explanation: The Exchange Admin Center (EAC) is used to create and manage Offline Address Books (OABs), not Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager, or Active Directory Users and Computers.
Multiple select: Select ways you can use to download a new copy of the offline address book (OAB) in Microsoft Outlook.
- A. Click on File, Point to Account Settings, then Download OAB
- B. Use the Exchange Management Shell
- C. Use the Exchange Admin Center
Answer: A and B
Explanation: You can download a new copy of the OAB in Microsoft Outlook clients by going through the File > Account Settings > Download OAB, or by using the Exchange Management Shell.
True or False: Using the Exchange Management Shell to remove an Offline Address Book (OAB) requires you to know the OAB’s identity.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: You need to know the exact identity, which is a unique identifier, of the Offline Address Book to remove it using the Exchange Management Shell.
True or False: You can add a new Offline Address Book (OAB) using just the Microsoft Outlook Client.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Adding a new OAB has to be done from the Exchange Admin Center (EAC) or Exchange Management Shell, not just the Microsoft Outlook Client.
True or False: Offline Address Book (OAB) are only relevant and applicable to on-premises Exchange Server environments.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Offline Address Books (OAB) are also available and applicable to Exchange Online in Microsoft 365 environments, not only on-premises Exchange Server environments.
What happens when you remove an Offline Address Book in Microsoft Exchange?
- A. All users lose access to their email accounts
- B. The removed OAB is immediately deleted from all clients’ computers
- C. Users of the removed OAB can’t download copies of that OAB
Answer: C. Users of the removed OAB can’t download copies of that OAB
Explanation: When you remove an OAB, it does not delete the OAB from clients’ computers. But, users of that OAB can’t download copies of it anymore.
Which versions of Microsoft Exchange allow you to create and manage Offline Address Books (OABs)?
- A. Exchange 2010
- B. Exchange 2013
- C. Exchange 2016 and above
Answer: C. Exchange 2016 and above
Explanation: Microsoft Exchange 2016 and later versions support the creation and management of Offline Address Books (OABs).
When you’re manually downloading the Offline Address Book (OAB), what should you do first?
- A. Open the Microsoft Exchange Admin Center
- B. Close and restart the Outlook client
- C. Click on Send/Receive All Folders
Answer: C. Click on Send/Receive All Folders
Explanation: Clicking on Send/Receive All Folders in the Microsoft Outlook client first ensures that all current data is synchronised before you manually download the OAB.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of the Offline Address Book (OAB) in Microsoft 365?
The OAB is used by Outlook clients in cached mode for address book lookup. These clients download the OAB from the Exchange server to a local file for this purpose.
Under what tab in the Exchange admin center can you manage offline address books?
You can manage offline address books under the ‘Organization’ tab in the Exchange admin center.
When adding a new OAB, what is essential to specify?
When creating a new OAB, you must specify the mailboxes that will generate the OAB as well as the address lists that it will contain.
How would you remove an OAB in the Exchange admin center?
Navigate to the ‘Organization’ tab, then select ‘offline address books’, select the OAB to remove and click the ‘Delete’ icon.
How often is the OAB updated in Microsoft 365 by default?
By default, the OAB is updated every 24 hours in Microsoft 365.
Can OAB updates be manually triggered?
Yes, administrators may use the Update-OfflineAddressBook cmdlet in the Exchange Management Shell to manually trigger an update.
What is the cmdlet to create a new offline address book in Microsoft 365?
The cmdlet to create a new OAB is New-OfflineAddressBook.
Can a specific mailbox be assigned to use a specific OAB?
Yes, you can assign a specific OAB to a mailbox database, and all mailboxes within that database will then use the assigned OAB.
How do you assign an OAB to a mailbox database using Exchange Management Shell?
Use the Set-MailboxDatabase cmdlet with the -OfflineAddressBook parameter to assign an OAB to a mailbox database.
What happens when an OAB is removed that is being used by a mailbox database?
If an OAB that’s assigned to a mailbox database is removed, the mailboxes in that database will start using the default OAB.
How do you view the properties of an offline address book in Exchange Management Shell?
The properties of an OAB can be viewed using the Get-OfflineAddressBook cmdlet.
In order to modify the properties of an OAB, which cmdlet should be used?
The Set-OfflineAddressBook cmdlet is used to modify the properties of an OAB.
How would you add an address list to an OAB in Exchange Management Shell?
Use the Set-OfflineAddressBook cmdlet with the -AddressLists parameter to add an address list to an OAB.
Is it possible to change the update schedule of an OAB?
Yes. You can change the update schedule of an OAB by using the Set-OfflineAddressBook cmdlet with the -Schedule parameter.
Can a user manually download the OAB in Outlook?
Yes, a user can manually download the most recent version of the OAB in their Outlook client by selecting “Send/Receive” and then “Download Address Book”.
extutorials.com